Tons of Veracruz lemons on their way to the U.S. and Russia

Producers from the Bioproductores del Llano Alto cooperative in Papantla de Olarte, Veracruz—who are part of the Sembrando Vida program—have shipped the first two collective shipments of Persian lemons to the United States and Moscow.

Farmers in the Veracruz community have managed to export 40 metric tons abroad, with 19 metric tons going to the United States and 21 metric tons on their way to Russia.

Exports reflect the results of the marketing strategy promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to reports, the shipment bound for the United States will be transported by road to the city of McAllen, Texas—a journey that will take 11 hours—while the shipment departing from the municipality of Martinez de la Torre, Veracruz, for the port of Altamira will continue by sea to Russia, with an estimated transit time of 22 to 23 days.

In Papantla, there are about 10,000 farmers—both men and women—who are organized into ten work routes across the 42 municipalities of the state of Veracruz.

Thanks to various negotiations and the support of the “Sembrando Vida” program, these workers have established direct ties with international buyers; the direct-marketing model has enabled them to obtain prices 40 to 50 percent higher than those they previously received when selling through intermediaries.

Producers have emphasized that the Veracruz Persian lemon is highly sought after by international buyers thanks to its long shelf life, intense green color, uniform size, and rough peel—qualities that are in high demand in global markets.

Negotiations began during these major Mexican producers’ participation in the Fruit Logistica International Trade Fair, held in Berlin, Germany, where the producers held meetings with importers from various continents, thereby expanding their market.

The members of the Bioproductores del Llano Alto Cooperative acknowledge the support provided by the Mexican government to strengthen the organization and open up commercial opportunities for the Mexican agricultural sector.